Tips for Planning New Window Placement

Windows are more than just something we use to let fresh air into our homes. They give houses character and provide views of a property or an entire neighborhood. You might start to notice how important windows are when they aren't positioned right, or the size was miscalculated.

Some rooms in your house might be too dim or too bright. With proper planning, windows will only improve the ambiance of a home. Here are some tips to consider when planning a new window placement.

Consider Your Comfort Level

Just because windows might look good on the outside of a home doesn't mean they'll bode well on the inside. When seeking window installation services, consider which direction your windows will face and the orientation of the house to the sun and wind. Shades or curtains might be necessary if the windows are facing the east and west with the low-angle sunlight. Also, keep in mind the heating and cooling comfort level of the house. Some windows with large panes of glass can reduce the energy efficiency of the house.

Add Lighting and Improve Your Views

Lighting can improve the overall feel of your home because natural light can help you relax. Residential window placements should include natural light sources in every room when possible. Consider where the sun shines mostly throughout the day on your home. You'll also want to watch out for shadows or if new windows will add a glow to walls and ceilings.

The view from a window can make the room very special. If your property has a great sightline, windows can make them easily visible. If there are no spectacular sights on the property, well-placed windows can still add fresh air or sunlight when placed high on walls.

Forget About Tradition

Many older and traditional houses have window designs that were created when walls weren't even insulated, or when there was no central air system circulating air in homes. Traditional homes didn't include picture windows simply because of technology at the time. Older homes are more than capable of supporting new window placements.

With over 50 years of experience, Victorville Glass Company Inc. is your trusted glass and window installation company in the Victor Valley, CA. Learn more about us online and call today for a free estimate at 760-245-3456

Three Window Styles for Modern Homes

One of the major characteristics of modern houses is simplicity. These houses feature a minimalist design as well as distinct shapes. However, the homes are not complete without abundant smooth lines, natural light, and uncluttered décor. Nothing completes them better than large windows. They not only add style to the houses but are also a perfect feature to draw attention to the house’s stylish structure. To stay on-trend, homeowners should select large windows with contemporary window styles.

Sliding Windows

Sliding windows feature a large expanse of glass, making them a great choice for modern-style homes. The best part about gliding windows is that they can be used to maximize landscape views. For example, they are the perfect option for access to gardens and balconies. These windows help in saving space as they only glide sideways, which helps with furniture arrangements in high-traffic areas such as decks and patios.

Double-Hung Windows

While double-hung windows are most often associated with traditional houses, they are also an ideal option for complementing modern houses. They are a perfect way to break the monotony of walls and add some spice to a minimalist home. These windows provide a classic charm to any home.

Casement Windows

These windows are common in contemporary houses, especially with their simple yet neat look and side hinges. They provide energy-efficient ventilation when opened. This makes them suitable for a busy room, including living rooms and kitchens.

The first step towards selecting the right windows is to choose a reliable glass company. The right window company should be experienced and offer excellent customer service. Victorville Glass Company Inc. has been providing window installation and repair services to homeowners and businesses in Victorville, CA for the past 55 years. If you need window services, call us at 760-245-3456 for a free estimate.

Brief History of Vanity Mirrors

Vanity mirrors, whether attached to ornately decorated vanity tables or standing alone, have played an interesting role in helping people look their best for centuries. The simplest definition is a small (or large) mirror used for applying makeup. But that definition belies the level of inventiveness and craftsmanship that people have used over the years in crafting vanity mirrors as part of vanity tables or dressing room sets that embody luxury and sophistication.

Before Vanity Mirrors

While vanity mirrors have only been around for a few hundred years, vanity itself is as old as humanity. The earliest manufactured mirrors date to around 6,000 B.C. Found in modern-day Turkey, these mirrors were made of obsidian (volcanic glass) that reflected enough light to provide a person with a clear, though dim, reflection. Over time, different cultures such as the Greeks and early Chinese civilizations developed metal mirrors made of polished bronze and copper. The Venetians perfected the modern glass mirror by coating molten glass in an amalgam of tin and mercury while it cooled. From there, it spread across Europe like wildfire during the Age of Enlightenment.

The First Vanity Mirrors

Physical beauty has always been a way for elites to distinguish themselves from the masses, but this delineation took on its most extravagant dimensions in the courts of European monarchs starting in the 1600s. Aristocrats began commissioning highly decorative vanity tables, also known as toilette tables, with expensive mirrored glass built in. As these vanity tables became more in-demand, different designs proliferated. Some vanity mirrors from this period were built into tables also had wash basins, drawers, and concave mirrors that created magnification.

Modern Vanity Mirrors

In the 1920s and '30s, vanity mirrors and tables held on to their role as status symbols for the uniquely American aristocracy of film starlets. Rita Hayworth, Audrey Hepburn, Lana Turner, and others filmed scenes that showed them posing before vanities. While the ornate antiques from Europe never went away, they were overtaken by more affordable and simpler styles in the United States as vanity mirrors became commonplace in middle-class homes.

Whether you are looking to restore a 17th-century vanity table to its regal glory or build an art deco vanity that harks back to the Golden Age of Hollywood, Victorville Glass Company Inc. can help. We can cut and install mirrors from stock sheets or custom-make a pattern or curvature to fit your needs. We also provide residential window services and commercial glass services throughout the Victor Valley area. Call us today at 760-245-3456 for a free estimate on your project.

Choosing Table Top Glass: Three Factors to Consider

From classic end tables to modern dining sets, glass embodies a sleek look that complements any design style. Many types of glass can be used for table tops, but considering a few specific details can help determine the best choice.

The Intended Style 

Before deciding on a type of glass, buyers should have an idea of the overall look they want for the table as well as the room it will be in. Cut glass can be made in different shapes, sizes, and patterns to match any buyer's preferences.

The Importance of Strength

While not a necessity, tempered glass is a popular option for glass table tops because of its strength. The tempering process subjects glass to thermal and chemical treatments, making it up to seven times harder than regular glass without changing its weight or appearance. Additionally, tempered glass shatters into pebbles instead of jagged shards, making it a safer choice. Most glass table tops over 1/2 inch thick aren't tempered because their thickness provides additional strength.

The Purpose of the Table

The type of table and what it will be used for are determining factors when choosing the thickness of glass table tops. They often come in the following thicknesses:

• 1/2 inch: The thickest cut for the heaviest loads, this option is ideal for tables that are expected to hold a significant amount of weight.
• 3/8 inch: A step thinner than the 1/2-inch option, this choice can maintain a substantial amount of weight.
• 1/4 inch: This thickness is best for small or infrequently used tables, tables with an outside frame, or as a table top cover (cut glass that rests on top of an existing table top).
• 3/16 inch: The thinnest option, this cut is recommended only for table top covers or small, light tables with supporting frames.

At Victorville Glass Company Inc., we have decades of experience providing residential and commercial customers across San Bernardino County with exceptional glass products and services. If you're considering a glass table top, give us a call today at 760-245-3456.

How to Maintain an Automatic Sliding Glass Door

An automatic sliding glass door is a common feature at offices, retail stores, and hospitals. The best sliding glass door is one that people barely notice as it efficiently and silently opens on approach. For that reason, maintaining an automatic sliding glass door to ensure that it continues to operate smoothly is essential for customer satisfaction. Here are three things any business owner or facility manager can do to keep their sliding glass doors working well.

Regular Maintenance 

While an automatic glass door shouldn't demand attention every day, there are a few things to check regularly. The safety device, either a laser sensor or a rubber leaf that will retract if it contacts something, must always be working properly. Any cracks or breaks in the glass itself should be repaired immediately. Owners and managers should also ensure that the door area is free of any obstacles.

Full Inspection and Maintenance

Aside from the regular checks, the door should be inspected and maintained at least twice a year by a qualified technician. This includes checking the door sensors to make sure they are working properly, oiling the gears and drive belts in the mechanism, and ensuring that the guide rails have not been damaged.

Keep a Record

Whether regular repair services are done by an outside team of professionals or by an experienced in-house facilities manager, it is important to keep a log book of all maintenance done. This will help identify and correct any recurring problems and provide important information for future maintenance technicians.

At Victorville Glass Company Inc., we have over 55 years of experience of glass services and sales for both residential and commercial customers. We offer 24-hour emergency repair services to get your doors open for business as soon as possible. Call us at 760-245-3456 today to learn more.

Image by Mike Kalasnik from Wikimedia Commons.

Window Problems That Lower a Home's Resale Value

Windows add so much to a home. In addition to letting in daylight, they frame each room, serving as visual portals to the outside world. But various window problems can lower a home's resale value. New window installations will help bring the home's value back up to where it should be. According to the 2017 Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling Magazine, window replacement has a return on investment of 93.1 percent for homeowners on the West Coast, making it a great investment for homeowners.

Cracked Windows 

Not only are cracked windows unsightly, they are also hazardous. If the cracks spread, the glass can break and fall, possibly injuring anyone who is nearby. For the safety of the home's inhabitants and guests, as well as to restore property value, cracked windows should be replaced as soon as possible.

Fogged Up

When windows get foggy, the view to the outside world becomes dull. Double-pane windows, in particular, are prone to this problem as they age. Foggy windows occur when the seal between glass sheets is broken and moisture becomes trapped inside. While this isn't a dangerous situation from a safety standpoint, it does detract from the beauty and clarity of a window.

Cold Drafts

If it's starting to feel cold and drafty around a window, it probably means the window's integrity has been compromised in some way. The solution could be something as simple as replacing worn weather stripping. However, if this doesn't fix the problem, then the draft could be coming in from a window that no longer fits properly in the wall. Whether due to rain, soil conditions, earthquakes, or other reasons, buildings move and settle over time. This movement can create structural gaps between residential windows and the walls they inhabit, resulting in leaks and drafts.

Stuck or Crooked

In some cases, a stuck window that will no longer open or close can be repaired. Windows that have become crooked over time due to settling may also not work properly. If they can't be fixed, they should be replaced. Not being able to open a window is a hazard, especially if a fire breaks out in the home.

High Energy Bills

Even when windows appear normal, a telltale sign that there may be a problem with some or all of them is a spike in energy costs. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 25-30 percent of residential heating and cooling energy is lost through windows. If utility bills suddenly increase for no particular reason, windows should be inspected to determine whether they're the culprits.

Window Replacement

Even if windows aren't showing signs of problems, old, dated windows can still bring down a home's value. Before selling, consider upgrading at least some windows for a more contemporary, stylish look. The specialists at Victorville Glass Company Inc. can help with recommendations for residents across the High Desert and surrounding areas. Call us today at 760-245-3456 for a free estimate on window repair and replacement.

How to Clean Your Glass Shower Door Tracks

There’s nothing quite as frustrating as having a perfectly spotless bathroom, including shining mirrors and shower enclosures, only to discover that dirt, grime, and stains have found a way to creep into the smallest places. One of the most common places for this buildup is the tracks of a shower door, which are often forgotten or neglected over time, leading to years of filth. Even the dirtiest shower door tracks are not beyond hope, as long as the proper techniques are used to clean them.

There are two basic ways to clean a shower door track: by using a steamer or by using vinegar. Both can be completed easily and with household items.

Vinegar Method 

Vinegar can easily be used to clean out the tracks of a shower door. Longtime stains can be removed using only half a cup of distilled white vinegar, cotton balls, a grout brush, and distilled water.

For this method, simply dampen the tracks of the shower door using vinegar soaked cotton balls, letting them sit for three to five minutes. After that time has passed, use a toothbrush or grout brush to scrub the area. Spray distilled water to remove the vinegar and residue, and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. This method is not advised for showers with stone or tile, as they may be damaged by vinegar. Depending on the surface, this method could also be used for certain window tracks.

Steamer Method

For this method, the only necessary materials are a steamer with a wand attachment, microfiber cloths, and a scraping utensil such as a plastic spatula or even a plastic putty knife.

To clean the shower door tracks, simply follow the directions on the steamer and then use the wand to free up any residue or grime in the tracks. Once that’s complete, wrap the microfiber cloth around a spatula or putty knife in order to scrape away any buildup that has accumulated over time, and then wipe any remaining residue with the microfiber cloth.

Having a clean shower door track is a great detail to finish off an otherwise spotless shower. If you’re looking to replace your glass with the latest and most updated shower enclosure designs, then call Victorville Glass today at 760-245-3456. We have been serving the Victorville area for more than 55 years!